The United Way of Adair County/Northeast Missouri is nearly at its fundraising goal of a quarter of a million dollars, raising more money in 2013 than the past three year's campaigns, and is extending its campaign with the hope of providing 10 percent more.

That 10 percent represents the bulk of the remaining $32,000 left toward the non-profit's $250,000 goal, but it also represents services and opportunities depended on by the community, noted United Way Director John Dungan.

It represents a month of the YMCA summer camp for 25 children and it represents 10 assemblies at area schools through the Girl Scouts aimed at combating bullying. The about 10 percent represents NEMO Senior Services in-home care for a husband and wife for an entire year and meals for that same couple for six months.

It represents all those things, and more, with Dungan hoping a campaign extension will allow the United Way to fully fund its 13 partner agencies and their programs.

"That $32,000 will do so much more than that," he said.

The United Way detailed a list of eight services, like those listed above, that could be provided by the remaining 13 percent of the fundraising goal, striving to show the real-world impact of the fundraising goal.

"When people think about the broad range of the impacts these service groups have, being able to increase our agencies range by 10 percent is pretty significant," he said.

Without that 10 percent, it means one out of 10 people that might have gotten services or assistance will go without. Dungan pointed to the 10 house fires where the Red Cross has provided housing assistance and more in just the past two months.

"Without that 10 percent funding, that's one family that doesn't get the assistance," he said.

At the same time, Dungan notes this year's fundraising campaign has raised more money than any of his past three years.

"We've all very excited to have raised more than we have in the past," he said.

The United Way has failed to meet its fundraising goals for the past three years, instead utilizing portions of its reserve funds in recent years to prop up its financial support for the 13 partner agencies.

"We are still very hopeful we will be able to reach our goal," Dungan said. "And we have every prospect of doing that."

This year's campaign has also benefited from an anonymous donor matching any new donation amounts over $1,000, providing up to an additional $25,000.

Contributions can be made by calling the United Way office at (660) 665-1924, mailing or dropping off pledges to the United Way at 304 S. Franklin St., Kirksville, MO 63501 or by going online to LiveUnitedNEMO.org and clicking on the "Give" button.

The campaign will likely be extended to the end of January, with the service agencies awaiting final word on financial support for 2014.